Wildcats bring the ground and pound back
Mark Stoops has always been a coach who prefers his football with a side of bruises. In his mind, nothing wears down an opponent faster than a heavy dose of ground-and-pound. Over the past few years, however, Kentucky has experimented with a more modern, spread-oriented offense under a carousel of offensive coordinators — Liam Coen, Rich Scangarello, Coen again, and now Bush Hamdan entering his second season in Lexington. This fall, Stoops seems intent on turning back the clock and leaning into a run-first identity that could challenge, or even surpass, the school’s rushing record under his watch.
That high-water mark came in 2019, when Kentucky rumbled for 3,624 yards as a team — an average of more than 270 yards per game. That squad was fueled by one of the most unique storylines in program history, with wide receiver-turned-quarterback Lynn Bowden Jr. producing an absurd 1,468 rushing yards. Asim Rose added over 800 yards, while Kavosiey Smoke chipped in more than 600, creating a three-headed monster few defenses could solve.
This year’s backfield doesn’t have a Bowden 2.0, but it might be even deeper. Seth McGowan, the Oklahoma turned community college turned New Mexico State transfer, brings a blend of speed and vision. Dante Dowdell is the thumper who can wear defenses down, and get those tough yards between the tackles.. Jason Patterson and Jamarion Wilcox add fresh legs and burst, while quarterback Zach Calzada is expected to be far more mobile than his predecessors, potentially topping 500 rushing yards if the scheme leans into designed QB runs and scrambles.
The rebuilt offensive line — bolstered by experienced transfers and a renewed emphasis on physicality — should open lanes. Hamdan’s system pairs well with Stoops’ philosophy of controlling the clock, winning the field position battle, and keeping games in the 20s rather than the 40s.
Will it work? That depends on whether Kentucky’s defense can hold up its end and keep them out of shootouts. But the blueprint is clear: pile up carries, drain the clock, and make Kroger Field a place where opponents leave with sore shoulders and bruised pride. If the pieces fall into place, 2019’s rushing record should fall.